Tetra Pak has reported an unexpected jump in net sales to €8.95bn – an increase of 1.2 per cent over 2008 – driven by double digit growth in South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Sub-Sahara Africa.

Ailing Sydney printer The Printing Department has been bought out of administration this week by former owner James Becker, however a former employee of the printer says around half of the staff could lose their jobs in order to keep the business afloat.

Toppan Printing plans to cut more than ¥100bn (A$1.2bn) in costs over three years to keep expenses in line with the declining prices of its printed materials and electronic components, the Nikkei business daily reported.

Victorian printer Paragon Printing and sister company Moore Office are the latest print shops to be hit by the tough economy with the companies bringing in Administrators. Hall Chadwick partners Richard Albarran, Blair Pleash and David Ross are continuing to trade the businesses of the companies at this stage with a view to maximising the chances of continuing in existence.

Economic growth in the printing industry picked up during the December 2009 quarter according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). However Printing Industries says that despite the welcome pick up the industry still remains well below its peak activity levels.

Local packaging firm Colorpak has reported half year revenues of $42.6m, a 5.6 per cent jump from the last year’s $40.3m, which the company attributes to a boost in sale as well as strong operational efficiencies.

Fairfax Media’s print division profits in New Zealand and Australia dropped 19.5 per cent to A$43.3m in the first half of 2009-10, however overall earnings for print were A$57.6M, less than one per cent below the A$58m reported the year before.

Local packaging firm Colorpak has reported half year revenues of $42.6m, a 5.6 per cent jump from the last year’s $40.3m, which the company attributes to a boost in sale as well as strong operational efficiencies.

Franchise operation Worldwide Online has called in the administrators after 16 years of virtually non-stop growth. The independent franchisees, of which there are more than 80 in Australia, are not directly affected as they run independent operations.

Administrator McGrathNicol is offering for sale the business and assets of ailing print shops The Printing Department and Carbonbook, which went into voluntary administration last month. McGrathNicol is seeking non-binding indicative offers for the businesses.

Chinese offset equipment supplier Duoyuan Printing has reported a 15.1 per cent revenue increase to US$42.4m for the second quarter ended December 31, 2009 compared with US$36.8 million for the same period last year. The company says the increase was primarily due to the growth in sales of multicolor presses.

Salmat’s profits were up 21.9 per cent to $24.3m in the first half of 2009-10 compared with $19.9m during the same period the year before. While the company reported total mail volumes were down four per cent, its Targeted Media Solutions division earnings increased by 40.5 per cent to $20.7m following strong outcomes from efficiency programmes and new business wins.

Blue Star Print Group has reported earnings of $20m for the first half of 2009-10, which represents a 163 per cent improvement on the six months ended June 30, 2009. However, this is still down on the pre-global financial crisis performance of $27.6m for the six months ended 31 December 2008.

McPherson’s Limited’s book printing division experienced a $2.9m loss in sales revenue to $32.4m in the first half of 2009-10, which the company attributed to “the continuation of subdued market conditions, particularly with respect to professional reference publications”.

Chinese offset equipment supplier Duoyuan Printing has reported a 15.1 per cent revenue increase to US$42.4m for the second quarter ended December 31, 2009 compared with US$36.8 million for the same period last year. The company says the increase was primarily due to the growth in sales of multicolor presses.

Gunns has reported a 98.7 per cent plummet in profits in its half year results to $400,000, compared with $22m in the second half of 2009. The troubled company says its woodfibre business was severely impacted by the strong Australian dollar and declining volumes.

Gunns has reported a shocking 98.7 per cent drop in profits in its half year results to $400,000, compared with $22m in the second half of 2009. The troubled company says its woodfibre business was severely impacted by the strong Australian dollar and declining volumes.

Fairfax Media’s print division profits in Australia and New Zealand dropped 19.5 per cent to $43.3m in the first half of 2009-10, however overall earnings for print were $57.6M, less than one per cent below the $58m reported the year before.

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Blue Star Print Group has reported earnings of NZ$20m for the first half of 2009-10, which represents a 163 per cent improvement on the six months ended June 30, 2009. However, this is still down on the pre-global financial crisis performance of NZ$27.6m for the six months ended 31 December 2008.

While Amcor’s profits rose three per cent to A$172.5m in the first half of 2009-10, the packaging giant’s sales dropped 15.6 per cent to A$4.08bn. The company claims that although economic conditions in Australia improved during the July to December 2009 period, they remain weaker than the same period last year.

CPI’s net profit dropped 4.2 per cent to $2.04m for the first half of 2009-10 while earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) fell 27.6 per cent to $4.2m. The Australian paper giant says trading conditions remain difficult with volumes still below the levels two years ago.

While Amcor’s profits rose three per cent to A$172.5m in the first half of 2009-10, the packaging giant’s sales dropped 15.6 per cent to A$4.08bn. The company claims that although economic conditions in Australia improved during the July to December 2009 period, they remain weaker than the same period last year.

The buffeting the global print industry suffered in the latter half of last year has been reflected in the latest set of figures from merchanting giant PaperlinX. The company’s merchanting sales for the six months to December 09 fell across the board, with Australian, New Zealand, European and North American operations showing double digit declines, making a volumes increase in Asia the only bright spot for the company.

The buffeting the global print industry suffered in the latter half of last year has been reflected in the latest set of figures from merchanting giant PaperlinX. The company’s merchanting sales for the six months to December 09 fell across the board, with Australian, New Zealand, European and North American operations showing double digit declines, making a volumes increase in Asia the only bright spot for the company.

The buffeting the global print industry suffered in the latter half of last year has been reflected in the latest set of figures from merchanting giant PaperlinX. The company’s merchanting sales for the six months to December 09 fell across the board, with Australian, New Zealand, European and North American operations showing double digit declines, making a volumes increase in Asia the only bright spot for the company.

PMP suffered big revenue drops in its print, distribution and premedia divisions in the six months to December 2009, with Group operating revenue dropping 9.5 per cent to $645.4m in the first half of the 2009-10 financial year. However the country’s biggest printer has turned around last year’s first half loss and is reporting a jump in net profit after tax to $13.7m, compared to the $11.2m loss in the first half of 2008-09.

Heidelberg reports incoming orders and sales for the third quarter of 2009-10 were there highest for more than a year however Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberg says there is as yet no clear improvement as print shops are still reluctant to invest.

Heidelberg reports incoming orders and sales for the third quarter of 2009-10 were there highest for more than a year however Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberg says there is as yet no clear improvement as print shops are still reluctant to invest.

Heidelberg reports incoming orders and sales for the third quarter of 2009-10 were there highest for more than a year however Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberg says there is as yet no clear improvement as print shops are still reluctant to invest.